Therapeutic Approaches in Psychedelic Work: Revealing, Dissolving, Softening
What does it mean to work with psychedelics therapeutically?
At the Experiential Training Institute (ETI), we understand that psychedelic work is not one-size-fits-all. Different people, different nervous systems, and different moments in life call for different tools. That’s why we teach and work with a range of approaches, all grounded in evidence, ethics, and embodied practice.
Each method meets the psyche in a unique way—whether revealing, dissolving, or softening aspects of the self.
1. Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
Soul Revealing
Psychedelic-assisted therapy involves the use of high doses of substances such as psilocybin, LSD, or ayahuasca in a structured and professionally guided setting.
These experiences often:
Lead to mystical states, ego dissolution, and deep psychological insight
Facilitate emotional breakthroughs and spiritual connection
Require thorough preparation and integration to be effective and safe
They are typically held in retreat settings or as part of intensive, short-term therapeutic frameworks.
2. Psycholytic Therapy
Soul Dissolving
This lesser-known yet historically grounded approach involves low-to-moderate doses of psychedelics (often LSD or psilocybin) to support talk therapy.
Benefits include:
Enhanced access to emotional material while staying cognitively present
Gentle loosening of defences, allowing for trauma processing without full disorientation
A format that supports ongoing therapeutic relationships, often over multiple sessions
Originally researched in the 1950s–70s, psycholytic therapy is now gaining renewed interest in clinical and training contexts.
3. Microdosing
Soul Softening
Microdosing refers to taking sub-hallucinogenic amounts of a psychedelic substance (commonly psilocybin or LSD) on a regular schedule.
While still under investigation, emerging findings suggest:
Enhanced mood, focus, and creativity
Potential benefits for depression, ADHD, and PTSD
Subtle yet meaningful shifts in outlook and behaviour
When held with intention and support, microdosing can be a bridge—gently guiding individuals toward deeper emotional connection and daily resilience.
Choosing the right path
There’s no universal formula. Some people begin with microdosing and eventually feel called to deeper ceremonial work. Others find ongoing psycholytic therapy to be the safest and most effective route for them.
At ETI, we encourage each person to:
Honour their current life circumstances
Stay curious about their inner landscape
Work with trained facilitators who centre safety, ethics, and integration
Final thoughts
Whether your soul is calling to be revealed, dissolved, or softened, there is a path. The work is not about chasing states—it’s about making space for what’s true, and finding the courage to meet it with care.
Interested in learning more about these approaches?
Explore our accredited training programmes, designed for professionals working at the intersection of therapy and psychedelics. View upcoming trainings →
